Vibrating rock polisher

ABSTRACT

An apparatus is disclosed for polishing rocks in which a rock container is insertable within a frame member which has attached to it a vibrator for imparting a desired motion. Two pair of elongated resilient strips are mounted at an end of each strip in parallel longitudinally extending spaced apart relationship to a base member. Each strip of a pair is in transverse spaced apart relationship to the other. One pair is mounted at a forward end of the base plate and the second pair is mounted at a rearward end of the base plate. The frame member is secured to the unmounted ends of the strips, whereby, the vibrator causes the frame member to move the container in a vertical vibratory motion in conjunction with a rocking motion. A tuning bar is insertable transversely between one pair of strips and the base member in order to vary the resonate frequency of the system and the amplitude of the rock container.

United States Patent [191 Olson 1451 May 28, 1974 VlBRATlNG ROCK POLISHER [76] Inventor: Wayne L. Olson, Box 9 Keystone Rt., Rapid City, S. Dak. 57701 [22] Filed: Mar. 13, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 234,263

[52] US. Cl. 51/163, 259/72 [51] Int. Cl B24b 31/06 [58] Field of Search 51/6, 7, 17, 163; 241/170; 259/72, DIG. 42, DIG. 43, DIG. 41; 15/94,

Primary Examiner-Harold D. Whitehead Assistant ExaminerNicholas P. Godici [5 7] ABSTRACT An apparatus is disclosed for polishing rocks in which a rock container is insertable within a frame member which has attached to it a vibrator for imparting a desired motion. Two pair of elongated resilient strips are mounted at an end of each strip in parallel longitudinally extending spaced apart relationship to a base member. Each strip of a pair is in transverse spaced apart relationship to the other. One pair is mounted at a forward end of the base plate and the second pair is mounted at a rearward end of the base plate. The frame member is secured to the unmounted ends of the strips, whereby, the vibrator causes the frame member to move the container in a vertical vibratory motion in conjunction with a rocking motion. A tuning bar is insertable transversely between one pair of strips and the base member in order to vary the resonate frequency of the system and the amplitude of the rock container.

5 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates generally to polishing apparatus and more particularly concerns a vibratory polisher for polishing rocks.

2. Description of the Prior Art Most rock polishing devices presently in use are of the tumbling type which incorporate a polishing drum mounted on a horizontal shaft with a tumbling mechanism attached thereto. However, experience has shown that a tumbling type rock polisher is generally inferior to a vibratory type device. This is due to the fact that tumbling devices impart a somewhat violent tumbling motion to the rocks contained therein an they tend to collide with each other and to be damaged. In contrast, the vibrating polishers rely upon a gentle rubbing effect created by vibration. Although vibratory devices are regarded as superior to the tumbling devices they are still characterized by a number of significant disadvantages. A primary disadvantage of vibratory devices presently in use is their complexity and relatively high cost. An additional problem with vibratory rock polishers is that the grit used to abrade the rock settles to the bottom of the rock container. For examples of vibratory devices see U.S. Pat. No. 3,341,978 issued to Carsons, U.S. Pat. No. 3,108,408 issued to Dahlquist, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 3,103,086 issued to Balz, and U.S. Pat. No. 3,267,620 issued to Dayton. These prior art devices frequently require repairs and maintenance and it is evident that a dependable machine incorporating a rugged trouble-free design is needed.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved rock polishing apparatus that is simple and rugged in design and is inexpensive to manufacture.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a rock polishing apparatus which utilizes a vibratory motion to abrade the rocks and a rocking motion to move the rocks within the container so as to pick up the grit which settles to the bottom of the rock container.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide apparatus employing means for adjusting the resonate frequency of the system and the amplitude of the rock container.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a rock polishing apparatus which provides an easy method of rock inspection and handling. 7

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a rock polishing apparatus having a replaceable rock container.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the invention, an improved rock polisher is provided wherein a rock container is insertable within a frame member having a vibrator attached thereto. The rock polisher has a base member which has mounted thereon two pair of elongated resilient strips. One pair is mounted toward the front of the base member and the other pair is mounted toward the rear. Each strip is mounted at one end thereof in parallel longitudinally extending spaced relationship to the base member and in transversely spaced relationship to the other strip in the pair. The other end of each of the strips is secured to the frame members so that when the vibrator imparts its motion to the frame, the container experiences a vertical vibratory motion in conjunction with a rocking motion. A tuning bar is insertable transversely between one pair of strips and the base member for adjusting the resonate frequency of the system and the amplitude of the rock container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a view in perspective of the rock polishing machine of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the present invention with portions broken away;

FlG.-3 is a rear elevation of the present invention; and

FIG. 4 is a view in top plan of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawings, the numeral 11 refers to the improved rock polishing apparatus of the present invention. The rock polisher 11 is supported by a base plate 13. The base plate 13 in my invention is constructed of wood but it could be constructed of a heavy metal or the plate 13 could be part of a larger'construction such as a table or a floor. In a vibratory rock polisher, some weight must be used to hold the unit in place. If the base 13 is constructed of wood, for mount ing pads 15 are provided at the bottom corners of the plate 13. These are ordinary picture mounting pads with adhesive on both sides. By utilizing pads 15 and attaching the plate 13 to a table or a floor one can take advantage of the weight offered by these structures.

For purposes of further describing my invention I choose to refer to the line A-A as the longitudinal axis of the vibratory rock polisher with the line designated B-B being the transverse axis. Also, the end of the vibratory polisher designated C will be referred to as the forward end of the vibratory rock polisher and the end D will be referred to as the rear end of the vibratory rock polisher. Those surfaces of sub-parts of the rock polisher which face the forward or rearward end of the rock polisher will sometimes be referred to as a forward or rearward surface.

A first pair of elongated rectangularly-shaped strips 17 .are located toward the forward end of the base plate 13. The strips are approximately 2 inches long and are approximately thirty-thousandths of an inch thick. The strips are-constructed of steel and because of their length in relation to their thickness they are resilient and act as springs as will be understood. It should be appreciated that other metals and also materials such as certain plastics should be used for the strips 17 but steel provides a durable spring material.

The springs 17 are attached near their forward end 19 by screws 21 to the base 13. Located between the springs 17 and the base 13' and held in place by screws 21 are three standard washers 23 which place the strips in parallel spaced relation to the base 13. The spacing 24 is approximately one-fourth of an inch. The strips 17 are mounted in longitudinal extending relationship to the base 13 and are in transversely spaced relationship to each other.

A second pair of elongated rectangularly-shaped strips 25 are located toward the rearward end of the base plate 13. The strips are of the same type as strips 17. Strips 25 are attached near their rearward end 27 by screws 29 to base 13. Located between the strips 25 and the base 13 and held in place by the screws 29 are three washers 31 which mount the strips 25 in parallel spaced relationship with respect to the base 13. The spacing 32 is approximately one-fourth of an inch. The strips 25 are mounted in longitudinally extending relaoperation or with the container 61 removed from the frame 31.

A vibrator 75, which may be of the variable-speed type operated by a rheostat, is shown attached to the rear vertically extending side 37 of the U-shaped member 33. The motor 75 is held by bracket 77 which in turn is secured to .the U-shaped member by means of bolts 79 and nuts 81. The motor 75 which 1 use is approximately one two-hundredths of a horsepower and tionship to the base 13 and they are in transversely spaced relationship to each other.

Shown attached to the unmounted ends of the strips in each pair of strips 17 and is a frame member generally designated 30. Frame member is constructed of steel but as will be appreciated other materials may be used. Frame 30 includes a generally U-shaped member 33. Member 33 has a forward vertically extending side 35, a rearward vertically extending side 37, and a horizontally extending bottom portion 39 connecting the two vertically extending sides. Frame member 30 also includes side support members 41 which extend longitudinally between the forward vertical side 35 and the rearward vertical side 37 of the U-shaped member 33. The side support members 41 are arcuately shaped and bulge transversely outward of the vibratory rock polisher with the maximum bulge being located at the center'portion 43. The side support members 4] are at tached to the sides 35 and 37 as by spot welding or any other state of the art attaching technique.

Frame member 30 is inoverlying relationship to th base 13 and also to the strips which comprise the pairs 17 and 25. Front strips 17 extend beneath the bottom portion 39 of the U-shaped member 31 a distance of approximately I inch. The bottom portion 39 of the U- shaped member 33 is attached to the strips 17 by riveting at 51.

The rearward strips 25 extend beneath the bottom portion 39 of the U-shaped member 33 a distance of approximately one-half inch. The bottom portion 39 is secured to the strips 25 by means of bolts 53 and nuts 55. l have chosen to utilize bolting meansrather then riveting at the rear end of the rock polisher since as will be understoodthe rear end of therock polisher experiences a greater amplitude of vibration which may cause the strips 25 or any connection between the strips 25 and the'portion 39 to rupture. Therefore, by providing a simple bolting connection,'either theconnection or the strip 25 may be replaced if a rupture should occur.

As can be seen in the drawings, the'frame member 30 comprised of the :U-shaped member 33 and the side support members 41 defines a container receiving portion into which a container 61 isshown inserted. Container 61 is rather barrel shaped having a circular bottom wall 63, a cylindrical side wall 65, and a top portion 67 having an upwardly facingopening 69 which opens to a rock contain'ing'cavity 71. Container 61 is removable from the frame 31 and can be replaced should it be damaged. In order to minimize damage! have chosen to utilize a vinyl plastic for my container 6l. This material has proven to be highlydurable requiring infrequent replacement. With the large opening 69 in the top portion 67 of the container 61, 1 am able to easily inspect the rocks during the polishing operation and to easily add or extract rocks either during operates on a 110 volt source. The motor 75 is shown broken away in FIG. 2 wherein the shaft 83 is shown containing the eccentric 85. The use of motors with self-contained eccentrics to vibrate an object to which it is attached is well known in the art.

In order to vary the spring rate of the rear strips 25 a tuning bar 91 is transversely insertable between the rear strips 25 and the base member 13. Tuning bar 91 is generally round in shape being of a quarter-inch diameter. I havefound that the tuning bar is held in its position between the strips 25 and the base 13 by mere frictionalengag'ement, but, of course, notches could be provided longitudinally along either the strips 25 or the base 13 in order to insure that the tuning bar does not relocate itself due to vibration of the unit during the rock polishing operation. I have found that the. tuning bar 91allo'ws me to vary the resonate frequency of the system and the amplitude of the container, and thus to vibrate a load of rocks within the container 61 at a frequency at or near-the resonate frequency of the system for varying'container loads. When utilizing a light load within the container 61, I move the tuning bar forward in order to changethe spring rate of the strips 25 to obtain the desired rate and amplitude'of vibration. And, with a heavy load I move the tuning bar 91 rearwardly. l have found that generally there is approximately a fifteen one-thousandths of an inch total amplitude of vibration of the rock container 61 when I adjust the system at or near resonance. With motor 75 running at L800 rpm I have found that the rate of vibration is approximately 50 cycles per second. I

In operation, the container having the rocks to be abraded therein, along with the grit for abrading, vibrates in a vertical motion since both the forward strips 17 and the rearward strips 25 flex vertically. Additionally, as a result of the placement of the motor near the rear strips 25 providing a greater force at the rear end of thepolisher, and the shorter effective spring length of the rear strips 25 due to the tuning bar 91 adjusting the spring rate for strips 2 5, a rocking motion is imparted to the container 61. The axis of rotation of the rocking motion'is approximately located at the forward vertically extending side 35"of the frame member 30 and extends transversely along a line such as B'B.

Thus a verticalvibratory motion in combination with a rocking motion provides a beneficial motion to my I rock polisher. The vertical vibratory motion provides the rapid vibrations causing the rocks to' rub with the grit and each other in orderto abrade'them for their polishing. The rocking motion provides a very benefcial action in that the rocks follow a circularlongitudinal movement. That is, the rocks as a mass move along .the line AA in a circular motion so that they are occasionally .near the opening'69 in the container 61 and then move to the forward part of the container 61 and then to the bottom of the container and back up the rearward side of the container. This action causes the rocks to pick up the grit which tends to'settle to the bottom of the container in many prior art devices and to thus move this grit upwardly with the rocks to utilize the grit in the polishing operation.

Thus, it is apparent that there has been provided, in accordance with the invention, a rock polisher that fully satisfies the objects, aims and advantages set forth above. While the invention has been described in conjunction with a specific embodiment thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations as fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A rock polishing machine comprising:

a. a flat, longitudinally extending base member having a top surface with a first and a second end portion longitudinally spaced apart;

b. a first pair of elongated resilient strips;

c. means mounting a first end of each of said first pair of strips to said base member top surface near said first end portion of said base member in generally longitudinally extending, parallel and spaced relationship to said base member top surface, and in transversely spaced apart relationship to each other;

d. a second pair of elongated resilient strips;

e. means mounting a first end of each of said second pair of strips to said base member top surface near said second end portion of said base member in generally longitudinally extending, parallel and spaced relationship to said base member top surface and in transversely spaced apart relationship to each other;

f. a frame member having a container receiving portron;

g. means permanently mounting said frame member to a second end of each of said strips of said first and second pair;

h. a disposable container insertable within said container receiving portion of said frame member, said container having an upwardly open aperture and a cavity adapted to receive a plurality of rocks to be abraded; and

i. a vibrator mounted to said frame member in a position near said base member second end portion for imparting a vertical motion to said container in conjunction with a rocking motion of said container.

2. The rock polishing machine of claim 1 further including a tuning rod insertable transversely between said second pair of strips and said base member for adjusting the resonate frequency of the machine and the amplitude of vibration of said container.

3. The rock polishing machine of claim 2, wherein:

a. said frame member includes a U-shaped portion having a first vertically extending side, a second vertically extending side, and a horizontally extending bottom side, and further includes means extending from said first side to said second side for cooperation with said U-shaped portion to define said container receiving portion; and

b. said vibrator is attached to said second vertically extending side of said U-shaped frame member.

4. The rock polishing machine of claim 3 wherein:

a. said container has a circular bottom portion, a cylindrical side wall, and a top portion with said upwardly open aperture therein; and

b. said means extending from said U-shaped portion first side to said U-shaped portion second side includes a pair of transversely spaced outwardly bulging arcuate strips for cooperation with said U- shaped frame member to define said container receiving portion.-

5. The rock polishing machine of claim 4 wherein said container is constructed of vinyl plastic. 

1. A rock polishing machine comprising: a. a flat, longitudinally extending base member haviNg a top surface with a first and a second end portion longitudinally spaced apart; b. a first pair of elongated resilient strips; c. means mounting a first end of each of said first pair of strips to said base member top surface near said first end portion of said base member in generally longitudinally extending, parallel and spaced relationship to said base member top surface, and in transversely spaced apart relationship to each other; d. a second pair of elongated resilient strips; e. means mounting a first end of each of said second pair of strips to said base member top surface near said second end portion of said base member in generally longitudinally extending, parallel and spaced relationship to said base member top surface and in transversely spaced apart relationship to each other; f. a frame member having a container receiving portion; g. means permanently mounting said frame member to a second end of each of said strips of said first and second pair; h. a disposable container insertable within said container receiving portion of said frame member, said container having an upwardly open aperture and a cavity adapted to receive a plurality of rocks to be abraded; and i. a vibrator mounted to said frame member in a position near said base member second end portion for imparting a vertical motion to said container in conjunction with a rocking motion of said container.
 2. The rock polishing machine of claim 1 further including a tuning rod insertable transversely between said second pair of strips and said base member for adjusting the resonate frequency of the machine and the amplitude of vibration of said container.
 3. The rock polishing machine of claim 2, wherein: a. said frame member includes a U-shaped portion having a first vertically extending side, a second vertically extending side, and a horizontally extending bottom side, and further includes means extending from said first side to said second side for cooperation with said U-shaped portion to define said container receiving portion; and b. said vibrator is attached to said second vertically extending side of said U-shaped frame member.
 4. The rock polishing machine of claim 3 wherein: a. said container has a circular bottom portion, a cylindrical side wall, and a top portion with said upwardly open aperture therein; and b. said means extending from said U-shaped portion first side to said U-shaped portion second side includes a pair of transversely spaced outwardly bulging arcuate strips for cooperation with said U-shaped frame member to define said container receiving portion.
 5. The rock polishing machine of claim 4 wherein said container is constructed of vinyl plastic. 